Innis & Gunn - Oak Aged Rum Cask Ale (2011)

Originally brewed at Belhaven for Innis & Gunn. Production moved to Wellpark - date unknown.

NOTE: This is the same beer as the Oak Aged Beer Rum Finish. According to Innis & Gunn "they are the same beer, the process changed slightly so we changed the name. But the recipe is the same."

We are delighted to present this unique limited bottling of Innis & Gunn finished in oak barrels which previously contained navy rum. Maturation in special oak barrels imparts Navy rums with the sweet, spicy character for which they are renowned. We have long wondered what flavors might be imparted to our beer by finishing it in these same barrels and earlier this year we decided to find out. We brewed a special batch of Innis & Gunn beer and matured it in oak for 60 days. Every single drop spent half of that time in American oak barrels before being refilled into selected navy rum barrels to finish the lengthy maturation. Once the beer had absorbed the unique character the barrels were emptied, the beer blended and then maturation continued for a further 47 days until all of the flavors had married together and mellowed. We think the result is absolutely delicious! 

The ABV is 7.4 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Wee Heavy
Glass to use - Pint Glass, Tumbler, Snifter or Tulip
Delivery - 330ml Bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Pours a dark amber color with a small tan head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Boozy, sugar cane, spiced rum.
Taste - Rum, sweet, brown sugar, mulled spices.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and full body. Smooth.
Drinkable - Very easy to drink. This is the first Rum aged beer I've had to date.  As a Rum lover I can really appreciate the blend.  This brew aged very well. 

This beer pairs well with blue cheese and white meats.

This beer gets a Duper rating of B
BeerAdvocate Rating = 86
Ratebeer Rating = 83

Dark Horse - Plead the 5th

It’s big and full bodied with lots of roasted malts and balanced with heavy hops to put this imperial in a league of its own.

The ABV is 11.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Imperial Stout
Glass to use - Pint, Snifter, Gobbet or Chalice
Delivery - 12oz Bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Pours a solid black color with a dark tan head. Good lacing.
Aroma - Nutty, coffee, cocoa and malts.
Taste - Sweet, chocolate, coffee, malty and a slight bitter after taste.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and Fall body with a smooth finish and a nice warm alcohol burn.
Drinkable - I purchased a 4-pack in April with the intention of aging at least two bottles.  Bit it was sooo good I used the fourth bottle for this review. I'll need to find another 4-pack!

This beer pair well with cheese, desserts, mostly chocolates.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A
BeerAdvocate Rating = 96
Ratebeer Rating = 100

Russian River - Consecration (2010)

Dark Ale aged in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels from local wineries. It is aged for 4 to 8 months with black currants, brettanomyces, lactobacillus, and pediococcus added to each barrel. Rich flavors of chocolate truffle, spice, tobacco, currants, and a bit of Cabernet. Very full-bodied, sip slowly!

The ABV is 10.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Sour Dark Ale
Glass to use - Flute, Tulip, Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery - 375ml Bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Pours a dark ruby color with a tan head that vanishes quickly. No lacing.
Aroma - Sweet, fruity, spices, cherries and vanilla.
Taste - Tart, funky after taste from the brett, hints of tobacco and oak.
Mouth Feel - No carbonation and full body.
Drinkable - Pucker tart. Well balanced and it aged very well. 

This beer pairs well with cheese. I had a sharp cheddar during this session.

This beer gets a Duper rating of A
BeerAdvocate Rating = 99
Ratebeer Rating = 100